Northern Adelaide Plains vegetable and fruit growers are returning to production, with harvest underway and flood waste removed from their properties.

Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) has wrapped up its flood waste removal program, collecting more than 600 tonnes of flood waste from 58 primary production properties affected by flooding on the Gawler River floodplain in late September.

“Storms and flooding last year caused serious waste management issues for flood-affected primary producers and it’s been a huge effort by PIRSA staff to collect more than 600 tonnes and around 200 truckloads of flood waste.” Minister for Agriculture Leon Bignell said.

Three-month flood waste removal program saw PIRSA staff and contracted collectors work with property holders to remove the green, recyclable, general and hazardous waste, which was the result of flooding last September.

“PIRSA’s waste pickup program has helped remove a big impediment for many producers, who are now able to get on with the job of replanting and harvesting the new crops.” Mr. Bignell said.

Flood waste removal program is in addition to the initial flood recovery work funded by the State Government, which included pumping flood water away from affected properties and providing growers with business and technical advice.

Flood recovery grants of up to $10,000 are also still available to help reimburse costs associated with additional flood recovery work and seedling purchases. The deadline for grant applications is April 14.

“As a government, we want to stand side-by-side with these hard working farmers and help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.” Mr. Bignell said.

Background

Information and guidelines on how to apply for the $10,000 grants are available on the PIRSA website.

PIRSA staff, along with other State Government agencies and non-government organisations, such as Red Cross, is on hand at the Recovery Centre to deliver advice and assistance to those affected by the storms and floods.

They can also contact the PIRSA recovery hotline on 08 8207 7847, or visit the Flood Management Recovery Centre at the Virginia Horticulture Centre, Old Port Wakefield Road, Virginia.